Rob Parker's Rhetoric Becoming a Pattern

Parker is a knucklehead sports analyst who deserves to be suspended from ESPN after his ignorant racial comments about Robert Griffin III, the prolific rookie quarterback of the Washington Redskins.

Parker was suspended by ESPN last week after creating a firestorm of controversy when he questioned whether Griffin, who is black, was a “real” African American.

“Is he a brother, or is he a cornball brother?” Parker, who is also black, asked during an on-air broadcast on ESPN’s First Take sports program.

“He’s not real. OK, he’s black, he kind of does the thing, but he’s not really down with the cause,” Parker said. “He’s not one of us. He’s kind of black, but he’s not really, like, the guy you want to hang out with because he’s off to something else.”

“We all know he has a white fiancée,” Parker added. “There was all this talk about how he’s a Republican … Tiger Woods was like, ‘I’ve got black skin but don’t call me black.’ ”

Griffin’s father, Robert Griffin II, said he was “baffled” by Parker’s comments and would not say much more even though the overwhelming number of social media followers are clearly angry at Parker .

Griffin’s father isn’t alone. I’m baffled by Parker’s remarks, too.

Who is Parker to question RGIII’s blackness? And why should it matter? Parker should apologize to Griffin immediately instead of defending his ridiculous remarks.

RGIII is one of the most grounded, intelligent and thoughtful players in the NFL. He loves his family, he has a strong work ethic, and he’s a role model for all young people – and especially children of color.

The general manager of the Redskins said the team didn’t just acquire a great NFL quarterback – he also said the Redskins also hired an outstanding human being.

So what’s not black about RGIII? I don’t get it.

Parker is long on silly rhetoric and short on facts. He’s the worst kind of journalist who throws around bogus information and slandering a good young man. He claims there’s “talk” about RGIII being a “Republican?” Says who? Where did he get that information? Who are his sources? Or did he just make it up?

I can’t believe a word Parker says. And now I’m questioning Parker’s status as an African American man. What kind of “brother” would attack another black young man in this manner? What kind of black man would try to humiliate such a sharp, young black quarterback who is on his way to a stellar NFL career?

At 22 years old, Griffin is already being considered for the NFL’s Rookie of The Year. He is leading the NFL in both completion percentage (70.4) and yards per attempt (8.5), while also rushing for about 500 yards and six touchdowns. He has thrown seven touchdowns against just three interceptions for a passer rating of 101.8 — third best in the NFL.

Meanwhile, this is not the first time that Parker has been reprimanded for saying something stupid. It’s almost becoming a pattern.

In 2009, Parker resigned from the Detroit News as a sports columnist after asking Detroit Lions coach Rod Marinelli at a postgame news conference whether he wished his daughter had married “a better defensive coordinator.”

Parker is in hot water again –and this time his suspension by ESPN could easily turn into a permanent arrangement.

“Following yesterday’s comments, Rob Parker has been suspended until further notice,” ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz said. “We are conducting a full review.”

But Parker seems confident that he will not be disciplined any further.

“When a Twitter user joked by wishing Parker ‘good luck’ in his ‘next line of work,’ Parker responded with arrogance: “Watch me on First Take tomorrow.”

Parker has a self-inflated view of himself and he’s obviously learned nothing from his past mistakes, which is why he’s watching television this week instead of appearing on it.